Display container



Oct. 10, 1967 F. MELLION 3,345,309

DISPLAY CONTAINER Filed April 1, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 62 64 I K x :6 6

Inventor;

Frank MeZZion,

yg/wf %tg United States Patent 3,346,309 DISPLAY CONTAINER Frank Mellion, Providence, R.I., assignor to Jo-Dee Corp., Warwick, KL, a corporation of Rhode Island Filed Apr. 1, 1965, Ser. No. 444,869 3 Claims. (Cl. 312109) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A transparent display container having a pivotally mounted front wall that is movable to a posltive open position to provide access to the interior of the container.

The present invention relates to a display container. More particularly, the present invention relates to a display box wherein the walls thereof are formed of a clear plastic material to provide visual access to the interior of the display box for viewing the contents therein, the display box further including a front wall or door that is pivotally mounted in position, and that is adapted to be moved to a positive open position for easily inserting articles within the box or withdrawing the articles therefrom.

The display container embodied in the present invention has application in the storage and display of articles as sold in commercial establishments or may be used in the home for storage of articles, such as shoes, wherein the articles are accessible visually, thereby avoiding the heretofore known problem of determining the contents of a box that is closed. The display box embodied herein further includes a unique door construction that provides for moving the door to a positive open position. By locating the door in the open position, articles may be inserted in the container or removed therefrom without the require ment of the user having to employ one hand to hold the door in an open position. In one form of the invention, a friction catch is employed for retaining the front door in the open position thereof, while in another form of the invention, a pin and slot construction is employed for locating the door in the open position.

Since the display boxes embodied herein are adapted to be constructed in the usual shapes and configurations normally associated with boxes for displaying goods such as shoes, it is contemplated that a plurality of the display boxes may be normally employed in stacking relation. For this purpose, the display box embodied herein is provided with rims on the upper and lower surfaces thereof that are adapted to cooperate with corresponding rims on similar boxes located either thereabove or therebelow, thereby providing for positive stacking of a plurality of the.

boxes.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a display box or container, the walls of which are formed of a clear plastic material, thereby affording visual access to the interior of the box for viewing the contents therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide a display box having a pivotally connected door that is adapted to be moved from a ciosed position to a positive open position.

Still another object is to provide a container for displaying or storing articles therein, and that includes a front door on which pins are joined for pivotally mounting the front door in position, the front door further including means associated with the pins for retaining the front door in a positive open position.

Still another object is to provide a display box, on the upper and lower surfaces of which stacking elements are formed that provide for stacking the box in a positive position with a plurality of similar boxes.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the box embodied herein showing one form of the invention, and illustrating two of the boxes in stacked position;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the boxes illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 33 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 44 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 55 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a box embodied in the present invention, showing a modified form of a combination hinge and door retaining construction;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the box illustrated in FIG. 6 with the door located in the closed position thereof; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along lines 88 in FIG. 6.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 5, one form of the display box embodied herein is illustrated and is generally indicated at 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, two of the display boxes 10 are located in vertical stacked relation, and, as will be described hereinafter, stacking ribs are provided on the upper and lower walls of the boxes 10 for positively locating the boxes in the vertical stacked relation thereof.

For purposes of this description, the boxes 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described as including the same parts and elements since these boxes are constructed identically. As will be further pointed out in the description following, the walls of the boxes 10 illustrated are formed of a clear plastic material so as to provide visual access to the interior of the boxes. As shown in the drawings, each box 10 is illustrated as being of the general shape and configuration of the conventional shoe box. However, it is understood that the shape and the configuration of the boxes may vary in accordance with the requirements thereof.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 through 5, the box 10 as shown includes a top wall 12, a bottom wall 14, a rear wall 16 that is conveniently interconnected or joined to the top and bottom Walls 12 and 14 and side walls 18 and 20 that are fixed to the top and bottom walls and the rear wall. The top, bottom, end and side walls of the box 10 define an enclosure, the cross sectional configuration of which is substantially rectangular. As shown, the longitudinal dimension of the box 10 i somewhat greater than the lateral dimension thereof, and the enclosure as defined by the walls is adapted to receive various articles for storage and display, such as shoes or the like. As previously noted, the walls of the box It) are preferably formed of a clear plastic material so as to provide visual access to the interior of the box.

Since the box 10 is employed for storage and/ or display purposes, it is desirable to pivotally mount the front wall thereof, generally indicated at 22, so that access may be made to the interior of the box without removing 3 legs 26 and 28 that are interconnected by an intermediate web portion 30. In the closed position of the door 22, the legs 26 of the brackets 24 extend in a generally vertical position and are coincident with the vertical edges of the door opening as defined by the side walls 18, 26. In this position, the legs 28 extend in a generally horizontal direetion and project inwardly into the interior of the box. It is seen that the brackets 24 pivotally interconnect the door 22 to the side walls 18 and 20, and'for this purpose pivot pins 32 are provided and project through the brackets 24 and through appropriate openings formed in the side walls 18 and 26. The pivot pins 32 thus pivotally mount the door 22 in the door opening of the box as defined by the outer edges of the top, bottom and side walls.

As previously mentioned, the door 22 is movable from the closed position to a positive fully open position whenever it is necessary to place articles within the container or box or remove articles therefrom. Since the door 22 is movable from a closed to an open position through a pivoting action, the pivot axis being defined by the pins 32, the vertical dimension of the door must be somewhat less than the vertical dimension of the front opening in which the door is located. Thus, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a space 34 is defined between the uppermost edge of the door 22 and the lower surface of the top wall 12 when the door is in the closed position thereof. Referring now .to FIG. 4, it will be seen that when the door is in the 7 open position thereof, the space 34 accommodates the thickness of the door and enables the door to be located in its fully open position.

In order to locate the door 22 in a positive open position, a friction catch is provided and is defined by a depression 36 that is formed on the outer surface of the leg 28 of each bracket 24. A pin 38 is joined to the inner surface of each side wall and is located such that when 'the door is moved to the fully open position as illustrated in FIG. 4 the depressions '36 will receive the pins 38 in {frictional engagement therewith. Since both the brackets 24 are provided with friction catches defined by the depressions 36 and pins 38, a positive restraining means is defined that provides for locating the door in a positive fully'opened position.

The door 22 also includes an outwardly extending tab 40 that defines a handle for moving the door in the required manner. If necessary, a pocket indicatedat 41 may be secured to the inner surface of the door 22, and can receive a suitably dimensioned card on which identifying indicia may be imprinted.

It is contemplated that on certain occasions it may be desirable to stack the boxes 10 in vertical stacked elation so as to take advantage of space requirements. In order to stack the boxes 10 in interengaging relation and to prevent relative movement thereof in their stacked position, front and rear stacking ribs 42 and 44 respectively are formed on the upper surface of the'top wall 12 of each box and corresponding front and rear stacking ribs 46 and 48 are formed on the lower surface of the bottom wall 14' of each box. The stacking ribs 46 and 48 are slightly inwardly displaced with respect to the ribs 42 and 44 respectively, so that when a box 10 is placed on top of a similar box 10, the stacking'ribs will interengage. Thus, the lower stacking ribs 46, 48 of one box are positioned inwardly in telescoping relation of the upper stacking ribs 42, 44 respectively of another box but are disposed in frictional engagement therewith. As shown in FIG. 3, the stacking ribs also include corner portions that interengage in telescoping relation. Thus,

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a modified form of door construction is illustrated and is generally indicated when the upper box as illustrated in FIG. 1 is placed on the lower box, the lower stacking ribs 46, 48 of the.

upper box fit within the upper stacking ribs 42, 44 of the lower box. As further seen in FIG. 3, the corners of the interengaging stacking ribs are disposed in telescoping relation, wherein lateral or longitudinal movement of the stacked boxes is prevented,

at 50. It is understood that the top, bottom, side and end walls of the container or box as illustrated in FIGS 6, 7 and 8 are identical to that described above, and the modification as illustrated is directed primarily to the door construction and to the method of movement thereof. As seen in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the door 50 is defined by a panel 52, the vertical dimension of which is somewhat less than and are joined to the inside surfaces of the side walls 18 and 20, respectively. Formed in the brackets 58 and 60 are slots 62 and 64, respectively, that are adapted to receive the outermost ends of the pin 56 therein.

In the closed position of the door 50, the pin 56 is located at the forwardmost'position'in the slots 62 and 64. The door 50 in this position is substantially vertical as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 6 and in full lines in FIG. 7. When it is desired to move the door to the fully open position thereof, the door is pivoted on the pivot pin 56 to a substantially horizontal position and is then moved inwardly, the pin 56 riding within the slots 62 and 64 to the position illustrated in full lines in FIG. 6. In this position, the door 50 is disposed in a positive open position, thereby exposing the interior of the box. It is understood that the door 50 is closed by Withdrawing the door from the position illustrated in'full lines in FIG. 6 until the pin 56 reaches the outer limit of movement within the slots 62 and 64. The door 50 is then allowed to pivotally drop by gravity to the lower or closed position thereof. j

For convenience, a tab or handle 66 may be joined to the outer surface of the panel 52 of the door 50 for moving the door in the manner as illustrated and described. A pocket 68 may also be joined to the panel 52 on the inner surface thereof for accommodating a suitable card on which identifying indicia can be imprinted. As further shown in FIGS. 6 and.7, upper and lower stacking ribs indicated at 42 and 46 are joined to the outer surfaces of the top wall 12 and bottom wall 14, respectively.

These stacking ribs are adapted to interengage corresponding ribs formed on boxes that would be lo'catedin stacking relation with the box as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. 7

,While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made with- V 1.-'In a container for storing and displaying an ar-" ticle therein, a top wall, a bottom Wall, side walls joined to said top and bottom walls, a rear wall joined to said top, bottom and side walls, and a front door mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axis on said side walls, said walls and front door'being formed of a clear plastic material to provide visual access to the interior of said container for viewing the contents therein, brackets joined to the front door at the upper ends thereof and adjacent to said side walls, pin means. associated with said brackets and cooperating with said' side walls to pivotally mount said front door'on said side walls at the upper ends thereof, a pin located on the inner surface of each side wall and spaced vertically below the pivot conmotions that join the brackets to the side walls, each of i said brackets having a depression formed therein that is disposed in spaced relation from the pivot connection thereof, each of said pins being receivable in a depression upon pivotal movement of the door from a vertical closed position to a substantially horizontal open position wherein said door is positively retained in said open position.

2. In a container as set forth in claim 1, the pivot connection and depression of each bracket being located in a plane that is generally horizontal when the door is in the closed position and being located in a plane that is generally vertical when said door is in the open position.

3. In a container as set forth in claim 1, outwardly projecting ribs located on the outer surfaces of the top and bottom walls and being disposed adjacent to the front door and rear Wall, said ribs interengaging with corresponding ribs formed on the walls of containers located above and below said top and bottom walls,

wherein the interengaged containers are disposed in interlocked vertical stacked relation.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 631,312 8/1899 Macey 312-409 X 646,129 3/ 1900 Rockwell et al 312109 646,200 3/1900 Allen 312109 755,615 3/ 1904 Chatterton 312-109 X 2,217,725 10/ 1940 Bloomfield 312114 2,555,644 6/ 1951 Heer 312-328 X 2,631,912 3/1953 Pryor 3121 14 DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Examiner.

I. L. KOHNEN, R. P. SEITTER, Assistant Examiners. 

1. IN A CONTAINER FOR STORING AND DISPLAYING AN ARTICLE THEREIN, A TOP WALL, A BOTTOM WALL, SIDE WALLS JOINED TO SAID TOP AND BOTTOM WALLS, A REAR WALL JOINED TO SAID TOP, BOTTOM AND SIDE WALLS, AND A FRONT DOOR MOUNTED FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ABOUT A FIXED AXIS ON SAID SIDE WALLS, SAID WALLS AND FRONT DOOR BEING FORMED ON A CLEAR PLASTIC MATERIAL TO PROVIDE VISUAL ACCESS TO THE INTERIOR OF SAID CONTAINER FOR VIEWING THE CONTENTS THEREIN, BRACKETS JOINED TO THE FRONT DOOR AT THE UPPER ENDS THEREOF AND ADJACENT TO SAID SIDE WALLS, PIN MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID BRACKETS AND COOPERATING WITH SAID SIDE WALLS TO PIVOTALLY MOUNT SAID FRONT DOOR ON SAID SIDE WALLS AT THE UPPER ENDS THEREOF, A PIN LOCATED ON THE INNER SURFACE OF EACH SIDE WALL AND SPACED VERTICALLY BELOW THE PIVOT CONNECTIONS THAT JOIN THE BRACKETS TO THE SIDE WALLS, EACH OF SAID BRACKETS HAVING A DEPRESSION FORMED THEREIN THAT IS DISPOSED IN SPACED RELATION FROM THE PIVOT CONNECTION THEREOF, EACH OF SAID PINS BEING RECEIVABLE IN A DEPRESSION UPON PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF THE DOOR FROM A VERTICAL CLOSED POSITION TO A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL OPEN POSITION WHEREIN SAID DOOR IS POSITIVELY RETAINED IN SAID OPEN POSITION. 